Possibly the luckiest guy in Redwood City, California, a man crosses railroad tracks barely a second before a high speed train passes. Caltrain says incidents like this throw the whole system into a slowdown as near misses have to be investigated.
A video is in the top news today of a man who was nearly killed when he ignored numerous automated railroad signal warnings, and ran across the tracks at the Redwood City Caltrain station. He just clears the tracks, before a train passes with its horn blaring.
Notice that before the “near miss man” runs across from left to right, there is a white-haired man who appears to neglect even looking both ways along the track he is about to cross. He just walks across with his head down and his hands in his pockets.
A man crosses Caltrain tracks on Tuesday, 02/18/2014 at around 8:40 am; Northbound Caltrain # 227 stops in Redwood City, while southbound # 324 flies right through. The man ignored the fact that the barriers were down.
CALTRAIN publishes the following safety tips, which includes watching for a second train.
http://www.caltrain.com/riderinfo/safety_security/Safety_Tips.html
Don’t Shortcut Life:
Safety Tips from Caltrain
Only cross Caltrain tracks at designated crossings and when it is safe to do so. While it might not be the quickest route, it is the safest.
Know that if you are on foot and not using a designated crossing – marked by a sign or gate – you are trespassing and are subject to a citation and fine.
Even though they might look as if they’re moving rather slowly, Caltrain reaches a top speed of 79 miles per hour. At that speed, they cover the length of a football field in less than three seconds.
Watch out for a second train. Between San Francisco and San Jose, Caltrain operates on two tracks, and four tracks in select locations. When you see the last car of a passing train, don’t cross until you’re sure that no other trains are coming on either track.
A train will be through a crossing in less than a minute. It is better to lose one minute in life than your life in one minute.
Be aware that Caltrain operates in “push-pull mode.” The locomotive usually pulls southbound trains. However, on northbound trains, the train is “pushed” from behind by the locomotive with a passenger car leading the train. Trains can travel in either direction on either track.
Despite their size, trains can be difficult to hear, especially in the “push” mode.
When you’re at the station with children, keep them close to you at all times.
When waiting at a station, be aware that approaching trains may not be stopping at the station and can pass near you at 79 miles per hour.
When waiting to board a train, stand behind the yellow safety line at stations and don’t cross to the center platform until the train stops.
Don’t sit on the edge of the platform. All trains overhang the rails and require that space to operate.
Never drive onto a railroad crossing until you are sure the traffic ahead has left enough space to drive across without boxing you in. Do not shift gears while driving across the tracks. If your vehicle stalls on the crossing get everyone out and get off the tracks. Call 911 or 1.877.SAF.RAIL (1.877.723.7245) to report the situation.
Transit Watch: You can help keep the rails safe by reporting dangerous situations, such as children playing on the tracks or people hanging out along the rail right of way. Call 1.877.723.7245 to report dangerous situations.
School and transit buses carrying passengers, as well as trucks carrying hazardous materials, are required to stop at all rail crossings. Be prepared to stop if you are following one of these vehicles.
Metra provides the following safety information in a PDF brochure:
METRA RAILROAD CROSSING SAFETY TIPS
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